New Church Art Trail (7)

Since setting up the local Church Art Trail between St Peter's Aldborough Hatch, St John's Seven Kings, St Paul's Goodmayes and All Saint's Goodmayes, we have uncovered new information about several of the works which can be found on the Trail.
Most recently, this has been the case in relation to information gained by Ron Jeffries about the Crucifixion which has hung above the main doors at St. Peter's since it was purchased by the then Vicar, the Revd Lawrence Pickles, in the late 1950s or early 1960s. The painting was part of an exhibition in the tennis courts at Valentines Park in Central Ilford. The Revd Pickles took members of the St. Peter's congregation to see the painting, including two youngsters who sang in the choir – both of whom continue to be members of St. Peter's to this day. From the moment it was first brought to St. Peter's people have either appreciated or disliked it – for the painting has been the subject of controversy over those 50 or so years.
The painting is the work of Leonard Wyatt (1922-2008) who was born in Forest Gate and trained at the Hornsey College of Art. He joined the Free Painters Group in its very early days and remained an active member until poor health forced his retirement at the turn of the century. His first one-man exhibition was at the Woodstock Gallery, London, in March 1960, and since that time he exhibited continuously in over 170 exhibitions - including 22 one-man shows. His paintings have been seen in most parts of the UK as well as in Norway, South Africa, USA and Germany.

In 1987, he represented Britain with 11 large paintings in the 49th World Science Fiction Convention, held in Brighton. Although his themes frequently reflected man's quest into space, he was a lover of the English countryside, into which he frequently ventured; he also illustrated five rambling books.

Philip Worth, President of the Free Painters Group, said in July 2008 for Wyatt's Memorial Retrospective Exhibition in Ilford:

“Len gave his all to FPS, not only his riveting artwork in countless group and solo exhibitions, but his huge energy and enthusiasm which helped to mould its destinies. And, in a way, his approach to his own work echoed the sacred objects of FPS – to strive for originality with excellence and, above all, to be completely free in style and in the search for themes. Len was truly a free spirit, going wherever his inspiration took him and owing little to hallowed wisdom or blinkered ‘-isms’.”

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The Byrds - Eight Miles High.